ACLU Hoping For Democrat Control Of Congress To Kill NSA Surveillance Bill

Posted on October 16, 2006

In his keynote, Romero largely slammed the president and Republican leadership in Congress but said Democrats share the blame. Their “reticence, timidity and complicity enabled the Bush administration to damage our core American values,” he said.

The eavesdropping bills’ fate in the short, post-election session that is set to begin next month hinges on whether Republicans lose their leadership in either chamber, ACLU Washington Office Director Caroline Fredrickson said in an interview. “If Democrats take control, they won’t let a bad spying bill get jammed through,” she said.

If the GOP stays in power, portions of the spying measure could be attached to any number of vehicles, including must-pass appropriations bills, Fredrickson warned. The surveillance bills are unlikely to win approval through the standard process for reconciling tax and spending measures, she said.

Surveillance legislation is one of the main topics that ACLU members will take to the Hill on Tuesday. Almost 250 meetings have been planned with congressional offices.

“These are highly informed, committed voters and activists,” Fredrickson said. “They’re going to take that to their members of Congress and let them know what they think.”

Indeed the “non-partisan” ACLU are pushing the vote with a bold press release”: ACLU Calls on Bush Administration to Stop the Abuse of Power. I have to give the ACLU credit for not beating around the “Bush” about things. They are coming straight out and proudly displaying their not so non-partisan desires. How much more obvious can the ACLU get on their agenda? They’ve abused their tax-exempt status putting out political ads for this election opposing particular candidates. Now they come out in direct statements to a crowd of more than 1,500 ACLU members hoping for Democrats to take control of Congress.

So, all of you out there wanting to teach the GOP a lesson….here is your chance. Stay at home and give the ACLU the Congress they need to defeat our progress in the war on terror. Allow the liberals to take control and stomp out our ability to listen to the enemy. Think real hard before you stay at home this November. You may regret it…and if you do…you’ll have no right to whine later.

If the ACLU’s endorsement isn’t enough, take a look at what Newt Gingrich points out on Nancy Pelosi, who would become the Speaker of the House.

» Filed Under ACLU, News, War On Terror

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2 Responses to “ACLU Hoping For Democrat Control Of Congress To Kill NSA Surveillance Bill”

Jeff Molby on October 17th, 2006 12:22 am

Romero largely slammed the president and Republican leadership in Congress but said Democrats share the blame. Their “reticence, timidity and complicity enabled the Bush administration to damage our core American values,” he said.

I agree with this sentiment. I, personally, believe that the Republicans have gone too far in their attempts to protect us, I place just as much blame on the Democrats for not having the cajones to challenge them.

The eavesdropping bills’ fate in the short, post-election session that is set to begin next month hinges on whether Republicans lose their leadership in either chamber, ACLU Washington Office Director Caroline Fredrickson said in an interview. “If Democrats take control, they won’t let a bad spying bill get jammed through,” she said.

This also seems like an accurate assessment. If the Democrats gain control of congress, they will probably find it in themselves to actually stick to their principles.

If the GOP stays in power, portions of the spying measure could be attached to any number of vehicles, including must-pass appropriations bills, Fredrickson warned. The surveillance bills are unlikely to win approval through the standard process for reconciling tax and spending measures, she said.

This is also true. I believe it has been well domonstrated that the majority party can pass unpopular legislation by attaching it to highly popular legislation.

Indeed the “non-partisan” ACLU…

I believe this to be an ad hominem argument. It is well within the real of possibility, though not conclusively proven, that the ACLU has taken partisan positions, but that in no way nullifies all of their positions.

ACLU Calls on Bush Administration to Stop the Abuse of Power. I have to give the ACLU credit for not beating around the “Bush” about things. They are coming straight out and proudly displaying their not so non-partisan desires.

It is not “partisan” to take a position in conflict with a sitting administration. It is only “partisan” to take a position solely in an attempt to unseat that administration. Thus, I do not believe that you have demonstrated that their motive is “partisan” in this case.

Allow the liberals to take control and stomp out our ability to listen to the enemy.

I sincerely believe that it is possible to “listen to the enemy” without listening to innocents in the process. If there is probable cause to suspect a certain person, the prosecution should have only negligible trouble in demonstrating this to the proper court. I would even support a reasonable timeframe for retroactive warrants. I just don’t see any reason why they should be able to listen to private conversations without any burden of proof.
Jay on October 17th, 2006 6:12 am

I think it is obvious that the ACLU are rooting for one side over the other, involving themselves directly in elections in direct violation of their own bylaws and seriously walking the line on vilolating terms that allow them their non-profit status.